This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Abstract

Palaearctic species of the Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) anfractuosa group are revised. Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) biflexatasp. n., R. (Pararhamphomyia) lineodorsatasp. n., R. (Pararhamphomyia) nudiscutellatasp. n., and R. (Pararhamphomyia) shatalkinisp. n. (all from Russian Far East) are described and illustrated. A key to Palaearctic species of the Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) anfractuosa group is provided.

Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) anfractuosa group is delimited here as probably a natural group of Pararhamphomyia (as fixed by Barták and Sinclair 2003 and diagnosed by Barták 1982). The most important characters shared by members of this group are as follows (* for characters considered synapomorphic):

As usual in Rhamphomyia, it is not always easy to arrange single females into groups or even subgenera (compare species group approach in Barták 2002, 2003; Barták and Kubík 2009), so, separate key to females of this group would be meaningless.

The most allied species to this group are species of Pararhamphomyia sharing most characters with this group mentioned above, except the tightly coiled phallus and/or yellow halter (e.g., R.slovaki Barták, R.plumifera Zetterstedt, R.deformata Frey, R.deformatella Barták). The subgenus Calorhamphomyia Saigusa with similarly modified last abdominal segments and phallus may be allied to this group of species, however its members may be easily separated by at least partly yellow legs.

Material and methods

The material studied is deposited in the following collections: CULSP (Czech University of Life Sciences Prague), ZMMU (Zoological Museum of Moscow State University). Acronyms are used further in the text.

Terminal abdominal segments (Figs 1–8) and hind legs (Figs 13–16) were photographed by means of Nikon Digital sight DS Fi-1. Each image resulted usually from combining 7–10 layers by means of Nish element. Legs were illustrated from these images; details were added by direct observation. Genitalia (Figs 9–12) together with 2–3 pregenital segments were removed and macerated in potassium hydroxide solution (approx. 10 %) in small vials submerged in hot water for 1–2 hours. After neutralizing with 8 % acetic acid, the genitalia were dissected in glycerine and their parts photographed by means of an Olympus E-41 digital camera mounted on an Olympus BX51 compound microscope. Images were edited with the computer software Quick Foto micro 2.3 provided with Deep focus 3.1. Each image resulted usually from combining 7–15 layers. Images were improved by means of Adobe Photoshop.

The morphological terms used here follow Merz and Haenni (2000), Sinclair (2000) and Sinclair and Cumming (2006). All body measurements (including body and setae length) were taken from dry specimens (therefore the actual length may differ) by means of an ocular micrometer on a Nikon SMZ 1500 binocular microscope.

Legs brown, lustrous, black setose. Coxae blackish-brown, microtrichose (only hind coxa with lustrous spot anteriorly near base), black setose. One long seta in posteroapical comb of hind tibia. Fore femur with fine anteroventral setae 1/3 as long as long as depth of femur, dorsal setae shorter, posteroventrals almost absent. Fore tibia with 4 posterodorsal setae slightly longer than width of tibia, ventral and anterodorsal setae short. Mid femur with two rows of spiny setae ventrally, anteroventrals half as long as depth of femur, posteroventrals longer than depth of femur, other setae short. Mid tibia with two rows of setae dorsally nearly 2× longer than width of tibia (each row consists of 3–4 setae including preapicals), two rows of ventral setae about as long as width of tibia. Hind femur (Fig. 14) with row of fine anteroventrals shorter than depth of femur, posteroventrals equally fine and irregularly arranged. Hind tibia with 5–6 pairs of antero- and posterodorsal setae 1.5× longer than width of tibia, ventral setae short. Basal tarsomeres of fore and mid legs thin and short setose, with several short ventral spines. Basal tarsomere of hind leg thin, with several setae dorsally 2× longer than diameter of tarsomere and with several ventral spines slightly longer than diameter of tarsomere.

Abdomen brown, lustrous (only segment 1 and part of segment 7 microtrichose as well as tips of thumb-like processes). All setae dark. Hind marginal setae on sides of tergites 2–4 nearly as long as their corresponding segments (discal setae shorter), on segments 5–6 shorter (but still slightly longer than discal setae), segment 7 very short setose. Dorsum of abdomen with short setae. Tergite 6 (Fig. 2) with two thumb-like processes on dorsal hind side; tergite 8 fused with sternite. Phallus (Fig. 9) with two outgoing loops; hypandrium membranose on posterior part (this part covers only part of ventral “ciliation” of phallus); phallus with hair-like “ciliation” ventrobasally and not much produced basal bulge.

Length: Body 5.5 mm, wing 5.5 mm.

Female. Unknown.

Remarks

Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) biflexata sp. n. may be easily identified according to the key. It is the only species with long dorsomarginal processes on tergite 6 (similarly as R.shatalkini) and simultaneously with two outgoing loops on phallus. Female is unknown with certainty, see also Remarks under R.shatalkini sp. n.

Legs brown, microtrichose, black setose. Coxae blackish-brown, microtrichose (only hind coxa with lustrous spot anteriorly near base), black setose. One long seta present in comb at tip of hind tibia. Fore femur with fine anteroventral setae up to half as long as depth of femur, dorsal setae shorter, posteroventrals up to half as long as depth of femur, present mostly only on proximal half. Fore tibia with 4–6 posterodorsal setae about as long as width of tibia, ventral and anterodorsal setae short. Mid femur with two rows of spiny setae ventrally, anteroventrals one third as long as depth of femur, posteroventrals slightly longer than depth of femur, other setation short. Mid tibia with only two anterodorsal setae (one subbasal and one preapical – but holotype on one leg atypically with three such setae), and 4–6 posterodorsals slightly longer than depth of tibia, two rows of ventral setae somewhat shorter than width of tibia (several posteroventrals may be longer than remaining ones). Hind femur (Fig. 13) with ventral microtrichosity up to 0.04 mm long, with rather fine anteroventral setae about as long as depth of femur in basal half and sometimes apically, very short to absent on third quarter of femur, posteroventrals present only on extreme base of femur. Hind tibia with 3–5 antero- and 6–8 posterodorsal setae slightly longer than width of tibia, ventral setae short. Basal tarsomeres of fore and mid legs thin and short setose, mid one with several short ventral spines, basal tarsomere of hind leg slightly swollen, with several setae dorsally and spine like setae ventrally up to 2× longer than diameter of tarsomere.

Abdomen brown, dark brown microtrichose (dark brown in both lateral and dorsal views), setae all dark. Hind marginal setae almost as long as corresponding segments, discal setae shorter. Dorsum of abdomen with short setae. Phallus (Figs 3, 10) with three twists in space.

Length: Body 4.5–5.3 mm, wing 5.1–5.8 mm.

Female. Head dichoptic, frons approximately 0.35 mm long and 0.25 mm wide, subparallel, with two rows of 5–7 relatively long setae on sides. Face approximately 0.25 mm long and subequally wide in middle (slightly broadening ventrally), without setae. Palpus lighter than in male, yellowish red. Thorax as in male, only setae shorter. Fore femur with anterodorsal row of almost pennate setae slightly shorter than depth of femur, with anteroventral row of thin setae as long as depth of femur and with posteroventral row of pennate setae slightly longer than depth of femur. Fore tibia as in male, only posterodorsal setae less differentiated. Mid femur with both (antero)dorsal and (postero)ventral pennation about as long as depth of femur. Mid tibia with short subpennate ciliation both dorsally and ventrally in addition to several slightly longer setae on both sides. Hind femur with long pennate ciliation ventrally in addition to several setae and shorter dorsal subpennate ciliation. Hind tibia with two rows of dorsal setae slightly longer than width of tibia, ventral setae short and slightly subpennate. Wing light brown as in male, measurements: M2/d = 1.4–1.6, CuA1 ratio = 1.5–1.9, lw/ww = 2.8–3.0. Abdomen microtrichose, with tergites 6 to 8 and sternite 8 lustrous and sternite 7 sublustrous. Hind marginal setae on segments 2–6 2/3 as long as corresponding segments.

Length: Body 5.3–5.8 mm, wing 5.5–6.0 mm.

Remarks

Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) lineodorsata sp. n. is closely allied to remaining three Palaearctic species of R.anfractuosa group of species with phallus twisted in space, viz R.anfractuosa Bezzi, R.nudiscutellata sp. n. and R.robustior. Most specimens of this complex examined differ from specimens of R.multisinuosa complex (with phallus twisted in a single plain) by absence of submedian anterodorsal setae on mid tibia in addition to characters given in the key. However, as mentioned above, holotype of the above described species has atypically one such seta present on one leg. We excluded females from type series because of problems with exact identification of females in this group of species and because we had no pairs taken in copula. But we believe we identified them properly. See under R.nudiscutellata for discussions of the differences between females of this complex.

Legs brown, microtrichose, black setose. Coxae blackish-brown, microtrichose (only hind coxa with lustrous spot anteriorly near base), black setose. One long seta present in comb at tip of hind tibia. Fore femur with complete rows of fine antero- and posteroventral setae up to 2/3 as long as long as depth of femur, dorsal setae shorter. Fore tibia short setose, without differentiated setae except preapical. Mid femur with two rows of spiny setae ventrally, anteroventrals up to one-third as long as depth of femur, posteroventrals slightly longer than depth of femur, other setation short. Mid tibia with only two anterodorsal setae (one short subbasal and one long preapical), and 3–4 posterodorsals slightly longer than depth of tibia, two rows of ventral setae somewhat shorter than width of tibia (several posteroventrals may be longer than remaining ones). Hind femur (Fig. 15) with ventral microtrichosity up to 0.05 mm long, with rather fine anteroventral setae about as long as depth of femur in basal half and in some specimens apically, very short to absent on third quarter of femur, posteroventrals present only on extreme base of femur. Hind tibia with 3–4 antero- and 5–6 posterodorsal setae slightly longer than width of tibia, ventral setae short. Basal tarsomeres of fore and mid legs thin and short setose, mid basal tarsomere with several short ventral spines; basal tarsomere of hind leg slightly swollen, with several setae dorsally and spine like setae ventrally up to 2× longer than diameter of tarsomere.

Abdomen brown, entirely light grey microtrichose (light grey from both lateral and dorsal views), setae all dark. Hind marginal setae on tergites 2–3 somewhat longer and on tergites 4–6 as long as corresponding segments, discal setae shorter. Dorsum of abdomen with short setae. Phallus (Figs 5, 11) with three twists in space.

Length: Body 3.8–4.0 mm, wing 4.5–5.8 mm.

Female. Head dichoptic, frons approximately 0.25 mm long and 0.20 mm wide, subparallel, with two rows of 4–6 relatively long setae on sides. Face approximately 0.20 mm long and subequally wide in middle (strongly divergent ventrally), without setae. Palpus brown as in male. Thorax as in male. Fore femur with both antero- and posteroventral rows of setae as long as depth of femur, posteroventrals mostly thin but in some specimens on one or both legs thickened – almost pennate, dorsal ciliation short and thin. Fore tibia as in male, only posteroventral setae slightly differentiated. Mid femur with both (antero)dorsal and (postero)ventral pennation about as long as depth of femur. Mid tibia short setose, most specimens with several antero- and posteroventral setae and/or several setae dorsally shorter than depth of tibia. Hind femur with long pennate ciliation ventrally in addition to several setae and shorter dorsal subpennate ciliation. Hind tibia slightly flattened, with two rows of dorsal setae slightly longer than width of tibia, ventral setae short, short ciliation slightly subpennate. Wing clear with only indistinct brownish tinge, measurements: M2/d = 1.3–1.6, CuA1 ratio = 1.6–1.8, lw/ww = 2.8–3.0. Abdomen microtrichose, with tergites 6 to 8 and sternites 7 and 8 lustrous. Hind marginal setae on segments 2–4 as long as corresponding segments, on segments 5–7 2/3 as long as corresponding segments.

Length: Body 4.0–4.4 mm, wing 4.6–5.2 mm.

Remarks

Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) nudiscutellata sp. n. is closely allied to the remaining three Palaearctic species of the R.anfractuosa group of species with phallus twisted in space, viz R.anfractuosa, R.lineodorsata sp. n. and R.robustior. All four species may be identified according to the key. We excluded females from the type series because of problems with exact identification of females in this group of species and because we had no pairs taken in copula. But we believe we identified them properly. Female differs from R.robustior and R.anfractuosa in lustrous abdominal tergites 6 and 7 (microtrichose in both R.anfractuosa and R.robustior), from R.lineodorsata by brown palpus (yellowish red in R.lineodorsata) and from R.anfractuosa also by front femur with two rows of ventral setae longer than depth of femur, hind tibia without broad pennate ciliation and light brownish wing (in R.anfractuosa, front femur has almost no ventral setae, hind tibia is broadly pennate both dorsally and ventrally and wing is deep brown).

Diagnosis

Species of the subgenus Pararhamphomyia with uniserial dorsocentrals, lustrous abdomen, tergite 6 with two thumb-like dorsomarginal processes, mesoscutum without lustrous stripes and phallus with four outgoing loops.

Etymology

The species is named after Anatole Shatalkin, dipterist from Moscow Museum and collector of part of type series.

Legs brown, lustrous, black setose. Coxae blackish-brown, microtrichose (only hind coxa with two lustrous spots anteriorly near base and at apex), black setose. One long seta in posteroapical comb of hind tibia. Fore femur with fine anteroventral setae 1/3 as long as depth of femur, posteroventral and dorsal setae shorter. Fore tibia with 4–5 strong posterodorsal setae 2× longer than width of tibia, ventral and anterodorsal setae short. Mid femur with two rows of spiny setae ventrally, anteroventrals half as long as depth of femur and densely arranged, posteroventrals sparse and longer than depth of femur, other setation short. Mid tibia with two rows of setae dorsally nearly 2× longer than width of tibia (each row consists of 4–5 setae), row of short posteroventral setae, anteroventrals more irregularly arranged and somewhat longer than posteroventrals. Hind femur (Fig. 16) with anteroventral row of rather fine setae nearly as long as depth of femur (1 or 2 of them may be stronger than remaining), other setae including posteroventrals short and fine. Hind tibia about as thick as hind femur, with 6–8 pairs of antero- and posterodorsal setae 1.5× longer than width of tibia, ventral setae short. Basal tarsomeres of fore and mid legs thin and short setose, with several short ventral spines. Basal tarsomere of hind leg thin, with several setae dorsally 2× longer than width of tarsomere and with several ventral spines slightly longer than width of tarsomere.

Remarks

Rhamphomyia (Pararhamphomyia) shatalkini sp. n. may be easily distinguished from all other Palaearctic species of Rhamphomyia (except unnamed species R. sp. 1) by peculiar shape of phallus forming four outgoing loops in a single plain and simultaneously tergite 6 bearing two long thumb-like dorsomarginal processes. However, the mesoscutum in the new species is entirely microtrichose but with three lustrous stripes below lines of setae in R. sp. 1. Other species with similarly formed phallus are R.multisinuosa Frey and R.spectabilis Frey, both without long thumb-like processes on tergite 6. Female of R.shatalkini remains unknown with certainty. We have at our disposal several females which may belong to either R.shatalkini, R.spectabilis or R.biflexata, but we are unable to associate them with particular males. Males of all three species have very similar microtrichosity pattern of mesoscutum which otherwise helps to associate males with females even if not taken in copula. These females differ from all other Palaearctic Pararhamphomyia by the following combination of characters: body entirely dark setose, dorsocentrals almost regularly uniserial, halter yellow, clypeus lustrous, both mid and hind femora broadly pennate, tibiae without pennation and abdomen lustrous except the first segment.

Rhamphomyia
(Pararhamphomyia)
sp. 2

Material examined

Remarks

Species very similar to R.spectabilis Frey with the exception of characters given in the key. We hesitate to describe new species from only a single specimen; moreover, we do not have R.spectabilis at our disposal.

Key to males of Palaearctic species of the Rhamphomyiaanfractuosa group

Barták M, Kubík Š (2010) Three new European species of the Rhamphomyia(s.str.)melania group (Diptera: Empididae). Revue Suisse se Zoologie 117(1): 89–100.

Barták M, Kubík Š (2012) A review of the Palaearctic species of RhamphomyiasubgenusHoloclera (Diptera: Empididae) with description of 5 new species. Revue Suisse de Zoologie, roč. 119(3): 385–407.

Barták M, Kubík Š, Civelek H, Dursun O (2014) New species of Rhamphomyia (Diptera: Empididae) from Turkey with a key to species of the Middle East and adjacent territories. Zootaxa 3815(1): 68–78. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3815.1.4